Slough Covid testing site
The first hybrid walk-in and drive-in testing centre in the country is being set up in Slough and will be operational from Wednesday (24 June) afternoon.
The testing centre will be based in the Montem Car Park, Montem Lane and anyone with symptoms – and for the first time people who are not symptomatic but concerned they may be infected – will be able visit for a test either by foot or in a car.
The site is being provided by the Department for Health and Social Care and is being facilitated by the council.
The centre will be open for those who wish to make an appointment and those who just want to drop-in, though the council is warning drop-ins may have a slightly longer wait.
If coming by car:
Up to four people can come together in the same vehicle
All ages can attend
Tests will be administered by visitors under the guidance of trained testing staff on site
There is no geographical limit on where people can visit from
Actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes
If walking:
All attendees over the age of three are required to wear face coverings or they will not be able to take part
Children three and under are not required to wear masks
Special area for testing for those who do not wish to remove face coverings in public
Curtained area available
Parents are welcome to bring children
Actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “We are proud to be facilitating, not only a site with huge capacity for testing but also one which is the first hybrid site in the country – where people can drive and walk in with no appointment.
“We have been reassured there will be plenty of assistance on site and we would encourage anyone with symptoms or who is concerned they may have covid symptoms, not just now but in the coming weeks to pop along and get a test.
“In an area like Slough, which has seen relatively high levels of infection and has a large black and ethnic minority population which is more at risk of both catching the virus and getting more severe complications from it, having such a site in our borough is excellent and improves testing accessibility for both our residents and those in surrounding areas.”
The site is expected to be operational on Wednesday (24 June) afternoon.
Other access to the Montem Car Park is now restricted and residents are requested not to attempt to park on the site and use other cut throughs between Chalvey and the A4.
The testing centre will be based in the Montem Car Park, Montem Lane and anyone with symptoms – and for the first time people who are not symptomatic but concerned they may be infected – will be able visit for a test either by foot or in a car.
The site is being provided by the Department for Health and Social Care and is being facilitated by the council.
The centre will be open for those who wish to make an appointment and those who just want to drop-in, though the council is warning drop-ins may have a slightly longer wait.
If coming by car:
Up to four people can come together in the same vehicle
All ages can attend
Tests will be administered by visitors under the guidance of trained testing staff on site
There is no geographical limit on where people can visit from
Actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes
If walking:
All attendees over the age of three are required to wear face coverings or they will not be able to take part
Children three and under are not required to wear masks
Special area for testing for those who do not wish to remove face coverings in public
Curtained area available
Parents are welcome to bring children
Actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes
Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “We are proud to be facilitating, not only a site with huge capacity for testing but also one which is the first hybrid site in the country – where people can drive and walk in with no appointment.
“We have been reassured there will be plenty of assistance on site and we would encourage anyone with symptoms or who is concerned they may have covid symptoms, not just now but in the coming weeks to pop along and get a test.
“In an area like Slough, which has seen relatively high levels of infection and has a large black and ethnic minority population which is more at risk of both catching the virus and getting more severe complications from it, having such a site in our borough is excellent and improves testing accessibility for both our residents and those in surrounding areas.”
The site is expected to be operational on Wednesday (24 June) afternoon.
Other access to the Montem Car Park is now restricted and residents are requested not to attempt to park on the site and use other cut throughs between Chalvey and the A4.
